Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward are viewed as the two best quarterbacks in the upcoming NFL Draft class. There are multiple quarterback-needy teams this year, but since the quality of players at the position is not of the same quality as in the 2024 NFL Draft, some teams might miss out on the opportunity to get one.
The New Orleans Saints are among the teams that would likely love a new quarterback. They currently have the ninth overall pick in the current NFL Draft order, and Chase Daniel believes the Saints will be the best landing spot for Sanders.
Chase Daniel Discusses Ideal Landing Spot for Shedeur Sanders
The Saints have yet to hire a head coach but are expected to agree on a deal with Kellen Moore after the Super Bowl. If the team gets Moore, they could position themselves perfectly to develop a young quarterback, which could make them an attractive destination for quarterbacks in the NFL Draft.
Daniel discussed the possibility of Sanders playing for the Saints on FS1’s “The Facility.” He believes the presence of Moore and the opportunity to work behind Derek Carr will prepare the Colorado quarterback to succeed in the NFL.
“Who needs a quarterback? The [Tennessee] Titans, [Cleveland] Browns, [New York] Giants, [Las Vegas] Raiders, [New York] Jets, and Saints. If you really look at all those franchises, all of them are not great right now,” Daniel said. “I do agree, if you go to the Saints and you sit behind Carr for a year, and if Kellen Moore is a head coach, I think that’s the best situation for Shedeur, like to not rush him.”
Shedeur Sanders to the #Saints makes a lot of sense with Kellen Moore… https://t.co/OaZE2geacf pic.twitter.com/0xSqUYZAeR
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) January 31, 2025
“I don’t know if any of those top six, seven picks are great situations for Shedeur because when you get drafted, all it takes is one GM to like you and one team to fall in love with you,” Daniel added.
“If they really feel a certain way about you, they will draft you, regardless of what Deion says, and they’ll probably work with Deion because Deion has earned that right. I’m just saying if you look at the top 10 picks, it’s just the Saints for me that make a ton of sense.”
In 2023, Carr signed a four-year, $150 million contract with the Saints. He still has two years left on his deal, but the team could part ways with him this offseason. They will have to take a significant dead cap hit of $50.13 million, but there is no other way for them to rebuild their roster and compete in the future.
Since the Saints have the ninth overall pick, it will be tough for them to draft Sanders unless they trade up in the draft. It’s hard to envision teams like the Giants (third overall pick) and Raiders (sixth overall pick) allowing the Saints to pass them and draft the coveted quarterback.
As a result, New Orleans might have to wait until next year to draft a quarterback, assuming they don’t like any other quarterback who will hear their name getting called on Day 2 and Day 3 of the draft.
Saints Could Still Continue With Spencer Rattler
Per ESPN’s Matt Miller, the Saints front office still loves Spencer Rattler, the quarterback they drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The South Carolina product started six games for the team in his rookie season but failed to prove that he deserves to get the nod over Carr.
Have heard the Saints front office loves Spencer Rattler, but this is a fun fit. McCord definitely made money this year with a more aggressive mentality https://t.co/7XSzwRbm9a
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 31, 2025
In six starts, he threw for 1,182 yards, three touchdowns, and five interceptions, completing 58.0% of his throws with a passer rating of 79.0. However, since the majority of the team’s starters on offense were injured this past season, it is hard to judge Rattler yet, as he could look great alongside Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Alvin Kamara.
The Saints have to quickly decide on Carr’s future; without him leaving the team, it’s hard to see the franchise move significantly in the right direction. If New Orleans passes up the opportunity to draft a quarterback, they should give Rattler an entire season to showcase his talent.
It could be a win-win situation for the Saints as if he doesn’t work out the team will be in a position to make a move for the best quarterbacks from the 2026 NFL Draft class.